By Trisha Harinath, Project Consultant Adri Scheepers, Photography Karl Rogers
Extensive research, by both the architect and the home owners, on the impressive Château de Maisons in Paris was the focal point for the design of this astounding home. Here, for the first time, Mansart used the high-pitched roof with tall windows, a style which eventually became known as a mansard.
The mansards that grace the exterior of the imposing structure are a key highlight of this home’s architectural design. According to the owner, the greatest challenge that they faced was to keep the design as original as possible while using materials and products that are available to the South African market.
The inside areas create a feeling of lavish space and royal grandeur. A majestic wooden staircase leads the way to the first floor. The entrance hall has a 12m-high ceiling that has been accentuated with authentic crystal chandeliers. The huge dining room, an area that stands out in its stateliness, features pressed ceilings, wooden flooring and a fireplace, ensuring that this room offers a true entertainment experience that resembles bygone eras of ballrooms and banquets.
Guaranteeing creature comforts are elements including underfloor heating throughout, air conditioning, fireplaces, a heated chlorinated pool, a room with a jetted spa bath, top-of-the-range security systems and an electronic irrigation system.
All in all, this grand home offers its residents a best-of-the-best lifestyle. With its authentic landscapes, interiors, dazzling exterior and myriad exceptional finishing touches, fittings, fixtures and furnishings, it is no wonder that the home is known as the French Château, and has become a landmark in its estate.
